Single Serving Dog Cupcake

There was a point in time when I proudly bragged about being a dog person. Since then, I’m glad to say that I have met many different cats that I have completely fallen in love with. Since moving to England I have found myself constantly surrounded by a colorful assortment of feline friends who’ve all added their share of humor and affection to my day to day life.

At least twice a week I walk into the kitchen to find Felix, the cheeky little black and white cat who lives a few doors down, stealing Stanley’s dog food. Every open window is an invitation to Felix. One time I caught him on the counter polishing off the left over shrimp curry I made for Mike. Basil, the ginger cat across the road also likes to find his way in through open windows. I remember one evening in particular when Basil somehow managed to jump up through the kitchen window above the sink. Once he found his way up on the window ledge, he realised the only way down was into the skin. I don’t even know how he managed to jump up to the window in the first place – I can barely reach that window to open it most of the time.

If I even tried talking about the myriad quirks of our own cats, Rita and Mabel we could be here all day – so I’ll spare you. As much as I adore all the cats in my life – deep down, I’m still a dog girl. There are very few times that I can remember not having at least one dog growing up. Just thinking about what all my dogs have meant to me, I get emotional. Whenever I felt like I was going through a particularly rough time in my life, I always had a dog to look at me with their big dumb smiles, wag its tail, and remind me that things weren’t so bad after all because here in front of me sat a creature who loved me just as much as I loved him/her.

I’m reminded of a quote I once heard about dogs (and pets in general) that went something along the lines of, ‘they may only be a small part of our lives, but to them we are their wholes lives’. It’s the heartbreaking fact that at some point we have to realize that we’re going to outlive our pets. They give us nothing but love and affection, and in some cases a lot of fur around the house and probably a few ‘accidents’ here and there, so why not give them just as much love in return and make their lives as special as they can be?

Bosco has had more than his share of bad hair cuts

Today is Stanley’s 4th birthday. I know how much Stanley means to my new family and all the joy he has brought into their lives by being his unadulterated self, so I thought I would make it extra special for him by making him his very own dog cupcake.

Instead of making an entire cake for him like I have seen many people do, I thought it best I just make him his own little cupcake instead – that way he couldn’t over do it with the food. This recipe makes either one jumbo size cupcake, or two regular sized ones. It’s aimed for dog tastes, but it’s certainly edible if you want to share one with your hound. Just make sure you don’t leave any apple seeds around because those aren’t good for dogs.

PS Mom & Dad – you better believe Bosco is getting his own cupcakes when we visit in the winter!

Yield: 2 cupcakes

Single Serving Dog Friendly Cupcake

A dog friendly, single serving cupcake to celebrate the special hounds in your life! Grain free and no added sugar.

Prep Time10 minutes

Cook Time20 minutes

Total Time30 minutes

Ingredients

1/2 small/medium apple, diced into small pieces

3 tablespoons peanut butter + more if desired for frosting

1 whole egg

1/2 teaspoon baking powder (optional)

bacon bits for topping (optional)

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 180C/350F

In a small bowl mix together all of your ingredients until combined.

Spoon the mixture either into a cup cake sized ramekin or into a regular cupcake tins. You can make either one jumbo cake, or two average sized cupcakes.

Bake for about 20 minutes or until a tooth pick inserted into the center comes out clean.

Allow the cupcake to cool completely. You can leave it as is, or frost with peanut butter and sprinkle with bacon bits.

Notes

Make sure to use xylitol free peanut butter as that can be very poisonous for dogs!

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Reader Interactions

Comments

Made this for my dog’s 11 birthday today- he was one happy guy. Not gonna lie I tried some without the bacon and they are pretty tasty for humans too. Love the small serving size and so easy to make. Thanks for the recipe!

Can you use banana instead of diced apple? Also can you microwave them? The grocery store sell single cup, cup cupcakes for people, like chocolate, cinnamon bun, brownies and you pour the package in a coffee cup and microwave 1 minute. They are delicious one serving desserts. My doggie will be 17 years old the 18th of this month. I wanted to do something really special like a little birthday party because we believe this will probably be her last one 😢 sad to say. She’s our baby and she deserves to be spoiled. So if you could get back to me soon I would appreciate it. She loves bananas and peanut Butter.

Hi Denise! I haven’t tried this in the microwave but I do think it will work! Usually mug cakes only need about 1 1/2 – 2 minutes. Unfortunately I’m away from home for the next month visiting family and they don’t have a microwave otherwise I’d try it out myself.

As for the banana I do think that should also work out! I think half a banana should be enough. Wish I could help more here! Give your dog some extra cuddles from me – I’m sure you’ll give her the best birthday possible!

Most peanut butter should be ok to use – you just want to avoid giving dogs peanut butter containing Xylitol as that’s really poisonous for them. As for the bacon any type will do! Happy (early) birthday to you dog!

This is very clever and cute! Every recipe I’ve come across makes a humongous cake. I thought of making them into individual cupcakes and freezing some for later treats but your grain-free one caught my eyes. I’m wondering what the texture of these are seeing as the ingredients seem really wet. Thanks!

Thanks, Jane! I had the same problem that you have with cakes that are too big. I’m all for treating my dogs, but I don’t want to over do it with the treats, ya know. I’ve never had an issue with the texture – I think because the peanut butter is so thick it doesn’t get runny. It comes out like a caky muffin. Hope that helps – let me know how it goes if you try it!

Oh my goodness! … this Pack Momma approves!! I agree completely that they are here with us for such a short time and we are their whole world.. they deserve for us to take the time to bring them as much joy as they bring us. For the record, this house would have to shut down if there was no peanut butter in the pantry… my four would probably string me up:) Excellent recipe!!!

Yes!!! Thank you! There have been very few times in my life that I haven’t had dogs and I swear I would be a very different person if I wasn’t surrounded by such unconditional love. So excited for your pups – they’re going to love it!

It’s so cute watching them eat it – Stanley went through phases where he was a bit unsure if he was allowed to eat them at first, followed by ‘hmmm, I think I’ll sneak a bite”, and then finally he just went full on and devoured it. So cute!

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